Kirkman Finlay and Henry Hopkins

The commission members convened Tuesday afternoon for their ninth meeting in the Gervais Street headquarters building of the Municipal Association. Commission Chairman (and former Columbia Mayor) Patton Adams opened the floor for general comments and criticisms on where they had been for the past several months and when and where they were headed for final adjournment.

The commission was conceptualized last year by Mayor Coble to investigate viable alternative forms of government for Columbia. The idea from the outset was to promote the Charleston/Riley combination: a strong mayor form of city government with a strong personality as mayor.

Most agreed at least two more inquiries were necessary, two revisits with the practitioners. The commission plans on a return interview with Columbia City Council, the target for change, and with Mayor Joe Riley and two of his council members, the inspiration for change.

On September 27, the Columbia crowd can remind the commission what’s wrong with their weak mayor system and maybe even see it themselves. In early October Riley can strut as everyone’s favorite in SC when it comes to a strong mayor system. Strong council members in Columbia’s weak mayor environment, obviously, are slow to give up any power.

In 2001, an in–house Columbia metropolitan government critique was issued for in–house types only, dissecting Columbia’s governmental structure and recommending radical change. The report held credence and prestige and gave a whole lot of thunk when it hit the conference table glass. The problem was the report stayed in house. Now, however, the same 2001 report is in the hands of every member of the commission and soon The Columbia Star.

It’s a good guess the current commission’s conclusions might look a lot like the 2001 report. Still, the commission is itching to get it done.

The report on Columbia metropolitan government and recommendations for reform should be complete by the end of October.